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WELCOME to the Children's Ministries of the Grantham Church. Children are a treasured part of our church family; we delight in their presence among us! It is our goal to reflect the love of Jesus to each child in a way that the church becomes a sanctuary to which they come with gladness, knowing that here they are among those who truly care about them.
Beth Huffnagle directs the Children's Ministries.
Download the child dedication form here
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GALACTIC BLAST VBS
JUNE 21-25, 2010
 A delightfully excited group of 137 children joined us June 21-25 for our Galactic Blast Space Adventure. We spent the week praising God for his goodness with catchy songs and “praise phrases,” exploring through science experiments, playing fun games outside, enjoying creative snacks, and committing words of the Psalms to heart. The week was topped off by the launching of 92 bottle rockets, constructed in the Cosmic Craft Center. We enjoyed the wonders of space all week, but especially on Monday evening, when 41 kids and family members joined Brian Zweiacher to peer through his telescope, enjoying views of the moon and Saturn and its rings.
Many, many thanks to the 53 people who were with us each day; your joyful spirits made the week a memorable experience for the children. Thanks also to the additional people who helped with decorating, childcare, set-up, registration, the lunch on Friday, and the Starship Store, as well as to those who contributed bottles and tubes for our rockets. You all had a part in making the week a blast for everyone!
— Beth Huffnagle,
Director of Children’s Ministries
[more Children's Ministries info]
Groups for pre-school through fifth grade (completed). Adults and teens interested in sharing the adventure: contact Beth Huffnagle, huffnagl@granthamchurch.org.
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SUMMER 2010 Staffing Needs
We're working on staffing the infant nursery (ages 0-2), runabouts room (ages 2-3) and the preschool room (ages 3-5) Sunday mornings this summer during the worship service. I'm hoping you might be able to give JUST ONE Sunday during the three summer months in service to our young families by helping to care for their little ones.
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| Infant nursery |
(AGES 0-2) |
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| Runabouts room |
(AGES 2-3) |
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If you have any questions regarding the infant nursery or runabouts, please contact Ann Mark at amark@messiah.edu.
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| Preschool room |
(AGES 3-5) |
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| If you have any questions regarding the preschool room, please contact Christina Weber at christinajoyweber@gmail.com . |
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If you have a son or daughter in middle school or high school that would like to help, we would love to have them sign up for a Sunday morning as well. Please sign-up for as many Sundays as you'd like!
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Wednesday Evening Clubs Programming
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Clubs is over for the spring season. We'll resume again in September 2010. Wtach this page for registration details.
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 September through April, our halls are alive with the sounds of children between 6:30 and 8:00 on Wednesday evenings! Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade kids love to invite their friends to this fun evening when caring adults guide them through Bible Stories, crafts, games, songs and activities. Monthly events include Gym Night, led by Messiah College students, and Missions Night, when we learn about and collect offerings for a missionary family. Other special activities include the Pal Gal program, which connects each third-through sixth-grade girl with a woman in the church.
- Preschool Clubs
- 1st and 2nd Grade Girls
- 1st and 2nd Grade Boys
- 3rd and 4th Grade Girls
- 3rd and 4th Grade Boys
- 5th and 6th Grade Girls
- 5th and 6th Grade Boys
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other children's ministries
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Sing & Play
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Contact Christina Weber at christinajoyweber@gmail.com
- Six different play centers
- Singing Circle with songs and activities
- Friends
- Space to move around
 Please note: This is an indoor play setting for walking toddlers through pre-kindergarteners; adults will be expected to supervise and play with the children they bring.
Fridays from 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM & 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM,
Winter Session: January 15-March 19
Cost: $1 per session per family
Pre-schoolers and their favorite adult play partners are invited to the Fellowship Hall on Friday mornings for 45 minutes of fun!
Final session of Sing & Play for the Spring: Friday, March 19
Sing & Play will resume on Friday, September 17, 2010.
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Because of our commitment to the safety of the children entrusted to us, the Grantham Church has in effect a policy that requires that adults working with children meet certain criteria, including registration, attendance at the church for at least six months prior to serving, and the successful completion of two background checks.
The policy also requires that registration forms be completed for all children participating in any programs. The complete policy is available for review from the Director of Children's Ministries.
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in the nursery
From their earliest days in the church, children are precious to us. Our nursery, for infants through their early twos, is staffed by caring adults and teens during Sunday School and Worship. |
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preschool
Our pre-school children gather in classrooms by age on Sunday mornings, staying in the same room during Sunday School and Worship. The Runabouts are 2- and 3-year-olds; Sportabouts are 4-and 5-year-olds; and our pre-Kindergarten children are 4- and 5-years old. Rather than promoting them on their birthdays, we move them up to the next class in September, allowing our teachers to develop relationships with their children and to provide age-appropriate activities. |
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children's church
Children in Kindergarten through third grade attend the first half of the Worship service with their parents, where they can practice the worship skills they observe. Prior to the sermon, they are dismissed to Children's Church for a lesson, singing and learning additional worship skills together. |
sunday school
Nurturing our children in the Christian faith by teaching them to love Jesus and to follow Him is a primary goal of our Sunday School program. Classes for both pre-school and elementary use the "Jubilee: God's Good News" curriculum, developed by the Brethren in Christ in cooperation with five other anabaptist denominations.
The Bible story is central in each lesson, and at every level, emphasis is appropriate to the developmental understandings of that age. Other values emphasized include living as disciples of Christ, peacemaking, a simple, lifestyle, the value of individuals and community, missions and worship.
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dedicating children at grantham
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What do we believe about dedicating children?
- We believe it is quite proper for Christian parents to dedicate children to the Lord.
- We do not believe the Scriptures instruct us to baptize children who are not old enough to make a willful profession of Jesus as Savior.
- As you will see from the dedication pledges contained later in this brochure, dedication can only be properly done by parents who are Christians. However, a “Service of Thanksgiving and Blessing” is available for parents who are not Christian. This service will give thanks for the life of a new child and will pray for God’s blessing upon the child.
Why are children dedicated to the Lord?
- The act of publicly dedicating children is an encouragement to the parents and the entire church. The promises are made by the parents before the congregation. The congregation agrees to accept responsibility to help the parents raise the children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
How often are children dedicated at Grantham?
- Usually a child dedication is held several times a year. It is part of the regular Sunday morning worship services.
Is membership at Grantham Brethren in Christ required in order to participate?
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What steps are taken for participation?
- Complete a short form that you can pick up at the church office (or download as a PDF from this page), and put it in our Prayer Box, give to a pastor, or leave in church office. You will be notified with the date of the next dedication.
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What will take place during the dedication?
- The pastor will explain to the congregation why we believe in dedicating children. Parents who have arranged to take part in the ceremony will be called by name to bring their children to the platform. They will listen to the following pledges and respond as directed.
Will you this day pledge yourselves before Almighty God and in the presence of these witnesses to study and understand God's commands and principles of child raising contained in His Holy Word? Will you continue to love each other and the child God has given you so that the child will experience the meaning of trust and grace?
Will you endeavor to provide a Christian home and atmosphere for your child? Will you teach your child in the Christian faith and way and surround your child with Christian influences through the church and other relationships, and encourage your child to faith in Jesus Christ?
Will you promise to call for other believers to assist you in praying for, training, and encouraging this child to follow God, wholeheartedly?
Following the parents’ responses, the congregation will then be asked to pledge its support and assistance for both the parents and the child. 
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